Means for cutting and setting rivets



June 27, 1939 F; F H LLER 2,163,683

MEANS FOR CUTTING AND SETTING RIVETS Filed April 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 27, 1939. HELLER 2,163,683

MEANS FOR CUTTING AND SETTING RIVETS Filed April 9, 1957- 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

June 27, 1939. F. F. HELLER MEANS FOR CUTTING AND SETTING RIVETS Filed April 9, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mfl m m a m w m mi .A My a Patented June 27, 1939 PATENT OFFlCE MEANS FOR; CUTTING AND SETTIN RIVETS Ferdinand F. Heller, Royersford, Pa.

Application April 9, 1937, Serial No. 135,887

7 Claims.

The present invention relatesto a. method and means for cutting and setting rivets and has for its primary object theprovision of a method and machinery by means of which rivets may be cut 5 out of a metal strip and the cut rivets readily introduced into registering openings of a .plurality of superposed members of relatively thin construction for frictional engagement therewith, whereby said rivets may be subsequently pressed into binding engagement with said members for rigidly uniting the same.

The invention also aims to provide mechanism for cutting and frictionally setting rivets wherein is embodied means constructed and operable to facilitate the positioning of relatively small parts in accurate registration for placement into the rivet cutting machine to receive the cut rivets and for removal of said parts with the rivets frictionally set therein from said machine, whereby said rivets may thereafter be upset to rigidly secure the parts together for forming aunitary structure.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a machine of the character mentioned having a support for the parts to be riveted together, said support consisting of a handle movable into and out of the machine and having means for assuring the proper aligned positioning of the parts during the rivet cutting and setting operation.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

As hereinbefore stated, my invention contemplates a method and means devised to facilitate the riveting together of parts of relatively thin construction, the invention being primarily directed to the art of manufacturing so-called sinkers, generally used in full fashioned knitting machines, and comprising a very thin blank reinforced by likewise thin members riveted to a portion of said blank.

When it is considered that the usual sinker approximately ranges between .0055" to .0075", and that the reinforcedmembers thereof are not much thicker than the sinker itself, the dimculty encountered in placing and setting the rivets to unite the composite parts is readily appreciated.

By practicing my improved method, the riveting of such parts as those above mentioned becomes a simple and easy matter. In practicing the method in accordance with this invention, the parts to be riveted,which parts have rivet holes therein, are first arranged in superposed relation with the rivet holes in registration. The'parts so arranged are then placed in a rivet punching machine in juxtaposition with a metal strip disposed to travel in said machine. Rivets are then punched or cut out of said strip and the punched or cut out rivets positively guided into the rivet 5 holes of the parts for engagement with said parts, which thereby become frictionally assembled. The parts so assembled are then removed from the rivet punching machine and subsequently placed into a pressing or stamping machine where 10 the rivets are upset to rigidly fasten the composite parts into a unitary structure.

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be more readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompany- 5 ing drawings and in the detailed description based thereupon, set out a possible embodiment of the invention. In these drawings: I

Figure 1 is a vertical cross section through the g rivet cutting and placing mechanism constructed '20 in accordance with the invention. A

Figure 2- is a top plan of the rivet cutting and setting machine with certain parts removed and other parts broken away. v

Figure 3 is a top plan of the movable support 25 in the form of a handle incorporated in my improved mechanism.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 5 is a. longitudinal cross section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3, and viewed in the direc- 0 tion indicated by the arrow.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross section of the rivet pressing and upsetting machine.

Figure '7 is an enlarged cross section of the parts to be united having the cut rivets in iric- 35 tional engagement therewith.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross section of the parts having the cut rivets upset to rigidly unite said parts.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout the rivet cutting and setting machine may be stated to comprise a base I preferably formed from cast iron and having a hardened metal plate 2 '45 suitably afiixed thereon; The base I with its plate 2 are adapted to befixedly clamped upon the frame table of any suitable type of commonly well known power operated cutting and forming presses. 50

Arranged to extend upwardly from the base I are a plurality of posts 3 upon which is reciprocably mounted a metal frame lhaving sleeves 5 engaged about said posts. The upper side 6 of v the frame is formed with a well 1 receiving a '55 chuck 8 adapted to be engaged with the usual ram of the cutting and forming press. In order that the reciprocating movement of the frame 4 may adjust itself to the working of the press ram, the chuck 8 is preferably secured to, but movable in relation with, the frame 4. For this purpose, each of the two opposed sides of the chuck is provided with a flange, as indicated by the dotted lines 9 in Figure 1, said. flange being slidably engaged in a slot 18 cut in the wall H of the well 1. Thus the chuck is free to slide in relation to the frame 4 so that no jamming of parts will occur during the operating function of the press. I

Secured to the underside of the frame block l2 in which is rigidly secured a set of punches l3 moving up and down in alimited path of travel with the reciprocation of the frame 4.

Arranged longitudinally of the plate 2 to project upwardly therefrom and rigidly secured thereon by means of screws |4,,or the like, is a pair of diametrically opposite blocks [5 and I6 respec tively, the opposed faces i] of which define a guideway l8 for 'th purpose to'be hereinafter specified. 1

Mounted transversely of the blocks l5and it over the guideway l8 are superposed plates l9 and 20 fixed in position by, means of bolts 2| or like fastening elements. The contacting faces of said plates Hand 20 are provided with complementary recesses forming a slot 22 adapted to receive a stock metal strip 23 from which rivets are to be punched or cut out in the manner tobe later specified.

The plates l9 and 28 are also provided with transversely aligned apertures 24 positioned to open into the slot formed by thecomplementary recesses 22, the apertures 'in'the uppermost plate l9 engaging and serving as guides for the rivet punches l3, and the aperturein the lower plate 2|] serving as guides for the cut rivets when forced downwardly by said punchers. 7

Adapted to be slidably received in the guideway l8 and beneath the plates l8 an'd 28 .is a support 25,for the parts 26 and 21 having the rivet holes 28 cut therein. As more clearly shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the drawings, thejsupport 25 has the form of a handle .consisting of a hand piece 29 connected to a block 38'. In the upper face 3| of the'block 38 is cut. a recess 32 for the purpose of accommodating the sinker parts 26 and 21 (Figures l and 2). The block'38 is adapted to enclose a set of pins 33 disposed to project outwardly in the recess 32. For this purpose the block 38 is formed with bores 34 receiving said pins 33. a

A spring 35 is likewise retained in each bore 34 and acts on the associated pin 33 to normally urge the same out of the block 38. V The pins 33 and spring 35 are maintained in the block by means of a plate 36 detachably secured to the lower face 31 of said block 30,. The pins. 33 are provided for the purpose of entering'the rivet holes in the sinker parts and thus hold the same in proper position tofrictionally receive the rivets punched from the metal plate 23 by the punches l3. The-pins '33 are so disposed in the block 30 that they will be aligned with thepunches 38 and rivet guiding apertures 22 in the plate 20 and in order that the proper and accurate alignment may be assured, the block '30 is provided with a rod 38 traversing the block for engagement with a bore 39 in the plate 2 and base l in the manlisa ner represented in full lines in Figure 1 of the drawings.

To permit the block 38 to be withdrawn from its operative position, and thereby facilitate the arranging of the parts 26 and 21 thereon, the rod 38 is retractable from its engagement with the plate 2 and base I by means of a lever 48 suitably pivoted on the hand piece 29. The rod 38 is normally urged into locking position by means of a spring 4| disposed between the hand piece 29 and the lever 48.

The sliding movement of the block 38 is limited by a stop pin 42 adjustably mounted in the block [6 and. disposed to enter a recess 43 cut in the adjacent side of the support block 38 as more clearly illustrated by the dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawings.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inward positioning of the block 38 may be advantageously controlled by an abutment 44 adjustably supported in a bar 45 rigidly connected to the ends of the blocks l5 and [6 by means of bolts 46, or like securing means;

In order to prevent injury to the punches 53 should the same become accidentally positioned in the path of the moving block 30 of the support 25, said block is provided with a plurality of slots 33 extending longitudinally of the forward end of the block and arranged inalignment with said punches.

In using the rivet cutting and setting machine, the support 25 is first partially withdrawnfrom the machine, which is possible because of the construction above described. In this partially withdrawn position of the support, the pins 33 are exposed so that the parts 26 and 2'! may be easily arranged thereon in superposed relation with the rivet holes 28 in registration. The support is then moved into the machine and when the rod 38 falls into the bore 39 in the base, the proper positioning of the support 25 for the functioning of the machine is assured.

Through the normal operation of the machine, the frame '4 moves downwardly carrying the punches l3 therewith, thus punching rivets out of the metal strip 23. The cut rivets are then guided through the apertures 22 in the lower plateZU into the rivet receiving holes 28 of the parts 26 and 21.

As shown in Figure 7, the cut rivets 41 are merely placed snugly into the rivet receiving holes 28 of the parts 26 and 21 to frictionally engage the same and thus frictionally retain the parts in assembled relation. At this point, I wish to call attention to the fact that the punches I3 may be so shaped as to cut rivets of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the rivet receiving holes 28 in the parts 26 and 21. Thus the rivets upon being forced, through the continued movement of the punches, intothe rivet holes of the parts 26 and 21, have a snug fit and assure a positive frictional connection with said parts. .Subsequent to this operation, the support 25 is again Withdrawn from the machine and the assembled parts removed to be subsequently placed in a pressing or stamping machine for upsetting the rivets to rigidly unite the parts. InFigure 6 of the drawings, I have shown a preferred construction of the pressing or stamping machine, which comprises a pair of opposed pressing plates 48 and 49 respectively. The plate 48 is mounted in a base 58 rigidly secured by meansof clamps 5| to the stationary frame table 52 of any suitable type of well known pressing or stamping press. The remaining plate 49-15 rigidly mounted in the ram 53 of the pressing or stamping press.

As previously stated, the parts 26 and 21 frictionally assembled by the rivets 41 are placed between the pressing plates 48 and 49.

Through the usual function of the stamping press, the plate 49 is caused to move towards the companion plate 48, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure 6. This movement of the plate 49 presses the rivets 41 between said plate 49 and the plate 48, thus flattening the rivets and upsetting the same, as indicated at 54 in Figure 8, thus rigidly clamping the parts 26 and 21.

Whereas I have described the rivet cutting and the rivet upsetting features of the invention, as being performed preferably in different machines, it is of course to be understood that these two features may be incorporated in a unitary mechanism.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that I have provided a simple yet enicient method and means of riveting together relatively thin parts. It is also to be understood that whereas I have herein shown and described a possible embodiment of the invention, certain modifications may be incorporatedin the disclosed construction. Therefore, any modifications which come within the scope of the following claims are to be considered within the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; and a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts.

2. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, and apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; and means between said support and base for releasably locking said support in place when bringing the parts in rivet receivin position.

3. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; and means associated with the support and engageable with the base for releasably locking said support in place when bringing the parts in rivet receiving position.

4. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; and a stop carried by the base and adjustable thereon for engagement with the support to adjust the positioning of the latter when placing said parts in rivet receiving position.

5. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; a stop carried by the base and adjustable thereon for engagement with the support to adjust the positioning of the latter when placing said parts in rivet receiving position; and means between said support and base for releasably locking the support in said position.

6. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holes therein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed plates mounted on said base to extend trans versely of the guideway thereof, and having complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in 'one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; and a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beneath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; and a spring actuated pin associated with the support and engageable with the base for releasably locking said support in rivet receiving position.

'7. A machine for cutting and placing rivets in frictional engagement with a plurality of parts having rivet holestherein, comprising: a base provided with a guideway; a pair of superposed-plates mounted on said base to extend transversely of the guideway thereof, and hav ing complementary recesses forming a slot adapted to receive a stock metal strip, each plate having a set of apertures opening in said slot, the apertures in one plate being aligned with the apertures in the other plate; a mechanism including rivet punches supported on said base over the plates, said punches being disposed for engagement with the apertures in the opposed plate and guided thereby into contact with said strip for punching rivets therefrom; a support for engaging and retaining said parts in rivet receiving position and slidable on said base in and out of the guideway thereof beenath the plates for bringing the rivet holes of said parts in alignment with the apertures of the opposed plate, whereby the punched rivets are guided into the rivet holes of said parts; a stop carried by the base and adjustable thereon for engagement with the support to adjust the positioning of the latter when placing said parts in rivet receiving position; and a spring actuated pin associated with the support and engageable with the base for releasingly locking the support in said position.

FERDINAND F. HELLER. 

